This June, Minnesota Star Tribune announced Center for Energy and Environment among Minnesota’s “Top 200 Workplaces.” The award celebrates organizations with 50 or more employees that have created exceptional, people-first company cultures. Companies on the list are recognized for fostering a workplace environment that values and builds employee satisfaction and engagement.
Top Workplace awards are based solely on confidential employee feedback gathered by Energage, a company specializing in employee engagement and retention. This year, CEE ranked 13th among midsized companies (150-499 employees), its highest placement so far on the annual list. And at a private ceremony, CEE was surprised with a unique award for "well-being" as well — the only Minnesota company singled out for its exceptional focus on employee well-being, in a subset of exclusive distinctions for just 15 participating companies or company leaders.
In addition to the regional awards, CEE also received five national "Culture Excellence Awards" for Work-Life Flexibility, Purpose & Values, Leadership, Employee Well-Being, and Compensation & Benefits. CEE was honored as a Top Workplace among U.S. nonprofits as well.
“Nothing is more important to our success than our dedicated team,” said Chris Duffrin, CEE’s president. “It’s encouraging that 97% of surveyed staff say we prioritize employee well-being. Their candid feedback helps us build an even better workplace while also showing us where we can continue to improve.”
"The work I do is contributing to bettering the world in line with my values. I feel appreciated and seen by my peers and supervisor, and I get to work alongside people I genuinely like and respect."
– CEE employee (anonymous survey comment)
Notably, 97% of CEE’s 250-plus employees participated in the confidential survey, ensuring that the data truly represents the full breadth of staff. In nearly all measures, CEE’s positive staff responses outpaced national nonprofit benchmarks, often by more than 10%. Among the most striking findings, 95% of staff surveyed would “highly recommend” working at CEE. Additionally, of those who completed the survey:
- 94% report that their job makes them feel part of something meaningful
- 94% believe their manager cares about their concerns
- 94% feel confident that CEE is going in the right direction
- 96% say CEE is guided by strong values
- 97% say CEE provides flexibility to balance their work and personal lives
"CEE provides a wonderful compensation and benefits package, people who work here are happy, there is room for advancement and growth, and everyone I have worked with is very dedicated to the work they do."
– CEE employee (anonymous survey comment)
“As our field and workforce evolve to meet new opportunities, we do too,” said Stephanie Haddad, CEE’s chief operating officer. “Progress in a changing industry depends on strong engagement and innovation. It’s a strategic win that more than 90% of staff say they feel included at CEE and that new ideas are welcomed here.”
“CEE does well at creating an environment where it's okay to make mistakes and learn from them. CEE allows employees to try new things and learn new skills and is clearly very invested in employee growth."
– CEE employee (anonymous survey comment)
About the Minnesota Top Workplace Awards
Produced by the same team that compiles the "Star Tribune 100" report of Minnesota's best-performing public companies, Top Workplaces recognizes the most progressive public, private, and nonprofit companies in Minnesota based on employee opinions measuring engagement, organizational health, and satisfaction. Top Workplaces has surveyed roughly 30 million employees and recognized top organizations nationally and across 60 markets, based on employee responses to statements that are believed to align with the best workplace experiences.
About Center for Energy and Environment
Center for Energy and Environment seeks a healthy, carbon-neutral economy that works for all people. A 501(c)(3) clean energy nonprofit with nearly 40 years' experience in energy efficiency, our strategies align behind technical research, program development and delivery, community engagement, policy advocacy, and project financing. Working across homes, businesses, and communities, CEE discovers and deploys the most effective energy solutions to improve the environment and strengthen the economy for everyone.
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CEE Media Contact: Tim Hanrahan, thanrahan@mncee.org
